RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh government has decided to declare
state as ‘plastic carry bag free state’ from January 1, 2015. According to a notification
issued by urban administration and development department, plastic bag causes
environmental damage and health hazards.

The order said plastic bags cause blockages in drains
and leads to serious environmental problem. In order to prevent such
environmental hazards, the government has decided to declare Chhattisgarh as a
plastic bag free area. No person, including shopkeepers, retailers,
wholesalers, traders, vendors should use plastic carry bags from January 1 and
no person should manufacture, store, import, sell or transport plastic carry
bag in state, added the order.

The notification clearly stated that words ‘plastic’
and ‘carry bags’ should have the same meaning as defined under the Plastic
Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. Containers used for packaging food
material, milk and raising plants in nurseries are not carry bags.

Government has asked people to send in their
objections and suggestions regarding its decision within 30 days. Citizens or
any individual, who is likely to get affected by this decision, can present
their objection or suggestion to principal secretary of state urban
administration and development department, stated the notification.